Sunday, September 30, 2012

North, by the Lake

I spent the weekend looking at this view, Reader. And swimming in that pool. And dipping in the hot tub. At the end of September. In Northern Ohio. In September. Swimming. In an outdoor pool.I want to reiterate that point, Reader. It was a weekend of cousins, sisters, friends. And wine. Don't forget the wine. It helped us overlook the forest that was growing on our legs. Because we live in Ohio and it's September. It's when we begin the burrowing process, to hunker through the winter. We had to shave up, because the sun was shining and the temp was 79 degrees and that's just plenty warm for Ohio girls to go swimming. We're hearty that way. Probably because the hairy legs keep us warm.Lemme tell you what hurts. Chlorine meeting freshly-shaved legs. That smarts. But was so so worth it.

Throw a surprise party - CHECK! Kenny's 40th, Linda's 60th, My moms way back in the day.

Publish a piece of fiction

Have an offshore bank account - tried to do this in Grand Caymen, it's tougher than getting married! Letters of reference, bank statements..they want a lot of stuff to float my 50large around down there.

Swim with dolpins - check

Drink Guinness in an Irish Pub

Drink wine under the Tuscan sun - check

Use a bidet - CHECK! Trip to Italy 2006ish?

Swim in tropical waters - check

See the sun rise and set over the ocean in the same day - CHECK! Florida. We watched the sun set on the one coast, drove across the state, got up in the morning and watched the sun rise of the east coast the next morning.

Go on a safari

Ride in a helicopter - CHECK! During my "married to a policeman" years, friends with the police chopper pilot, took a few spins over the glorious city of Cleveland.

Whitewater rafting - CHECK! Back in my younger/married/unwiser years, rafted in WV, the Gulley River was one of 'em. Lived to tell about it.

Skydive - CHECK! During married/unwiser/braver years. Three times, I did. I was brave, had to do it again, and again to prove it wasn't just hormones, but actual braveness.